A Sarah Palin fundraising post on Facebook led Terry McAuliffe to send his own e-mail on behalf of Tim Perriello, one of Palin's targets.

Washington (CNN) - One of the Democrats being "targeted" by Sarah Palin is now getting some fundraising help from Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman who is staying active in Virginia politics as he mulls a second run at the governor's mansion.

Rep. Tom Perriello is one of 20 House Democrats who voted for health care reform legislation that Palin hopes to boot from office in November.

An image on her Facebook page this week featured crosshairs trained on the districts of the vulnerable Democrats in question – a move that has Democrats claiming Palin is inciting violence against Democrats.

"Sarah Palin has set her sights on Virginia Congressman Tom Perriello – literally," McAuliffe wrote in a fundraising e-mail Thursday sent to his supporters. "She actually posted an image on the Internet that shows a gun sight centered on his district."

McAuliffe thanks Perriello for "putting principles above politics" and supporting the health care bill, a vote that could cost him in his conservative-leaning district. He then asks supporters to make a "generous donation" to Perriello's campaign before the end of March, the next quarterly fundraising deadline.

"Now Tom's principled stand has put him in Sarah Palin's crosshairs," he wrote. "But in 2008, Virginia rejected Sarah Palin and her over-the-top rhetoric. We certainly won't stand for it now."

The FBI and local law enforcement officials are investigating a "suspicious incident" at the home of the congressman's brother. A line to the propane tank on his brother's gas grill had been "severed," an aide to the Democratic congressman told CNN.

Politico reported Monday that a Tea Party activist in Lynchburg, angry over Perriello's vote in favor of health care reform legislation, had posted the address of Perriello's brother online and encouraged other activists to "stop by" and weigh in on the bill. The activist had apparently meant to post the congressman's home address but mistakenly published his brother's.

McAuliffe's e-mail is yet another sign he plans to remain a player in Virginia politics. On Wednesday, McAuliffe and blasted Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli for opposing President Obama's health care law.

McAuliffe also told CNN that he is leaving the door open to a second gubernatorial bid in 2013. McAuliffe ran last year, but fell short in the June Democratic primary.

Sarah Palin has set her sights on Virginia Congressman Tom Perriello – literally. She actually posted an image on the Internet that shows a gun sight centered on his district.

Together, let's show Sarah Palin that her irresponsible attacks only embolden our resolve to send strong leaders like Tom Perriello to Washington.

On Sunday night, Tom helped us make history. After beating a Republican incumbent in Virginia's 5th district in 2008 by just 727 votes, you could be forgiven for thinking he would play it safe. But Tom stood up for his constituents and the people of Virginia, casting a courageous vote for health care reform.

Now Tom's principled stand has put him in Sarah Palin's crosshairs. But in 2008, Virginia rejected Sarah Palin and her over-the-top rhetoric. We certainly won't stand for it now.

Click here to make a contribution to Tom's campaign before the March 31st FEC fundraising deadline so he has the resources to fight back against Sarah Palin's attacks.

Tom's people-powered campaign won in 2008 thanks to a commitment to conviction politics. In Congress, he's governed with the same dedication. He refuses to put partisanship over policy solutions, spending every day fighting to fix our economy, secure our energy future, and ensure that every Virginian has access to affordable health care.

His reelection in 2010 will send a message that putting principles above politics is a winning strategy. If I know one thing about Tom, it's that he'll always do what's right, not what's easy.

Sarah Palin tried to scare Americans out of supporting this bill, and now she's trying to scare you out of supporting Tom Perriello. It's time to show her that dog don't hunt!

Click here to make a generous contribution to Tom Perriello's campaign today.

Thanks to Tom, 1.2 million uninsured Virginians will have access to affordable health insurance; 93,400 Virginia small businesses will have access to health care tax credits; and countless Virginians with pre-existing conditions will no longer be subject to insurance discrimination. Let's make sure this hero is back in 2010.

Thanks,

Terry McAuliffe

P.S. – Tom promised to work a double shift for us in Congress and man, has he ever. Sarah Palin may have quit her job as Governor of Alaska, but I know that Tom won't quit working for us. Tell Sarah Palin we've had enough. Click here to rush a contribution to Tom Perriello's reelection campaign today.

soundoff(110 Responses)

ENOUGH HATE FROM THE RIGHT!

correction..I meant "pelosi" not "Palin" regarding the "line her up in the firing line" comment made by Michael Steele

March 25, 2010 01:17 pm at 1:17 pm |

normajean

It's hard to believe that a thinking public would take this woman seriously. She is a user and a taker. If it doesn't benefit her, she moves on. This will not change, nor will she.In another article about her, there are uneducated sneers that the Democrats are making a big thing about her "reload" ad crossed hairs picture of bill signers that she is targeting. Apparently these people don't read,just write. If they were aware tthere has already been some violence and a family that could have been blown up because some "follower" cut a gas line at his home. This whole thing has gone beyond anger, it's become DEADLY SERIOUS. It must be stopped before someone gets killed. The Republicans will OWN that.

March 25, 2010 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |

Tarheel

Palin is mean....Give me money.

March 25, 2010 01:20 pm at 1:20 pm |

fbythesea

Sarah, if you wanted to stay in politics, you should have not abandoned your "beloved" State of Alaska in the middle of your term. Stick to what you're good at, making money for yourself.

March 25, 2010 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |

ART

Sarah Palin Is an idiot ,she is a moron Sen Mccain was an idiot for tapping her for his running mate. It is obvious this woman does not get it , in order to get it she would need to have a functional brain and clearly she does not. This blight needs to go away and stay away

March 25, 2010 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |

Bill

ToTerry McAuliffe and any other person with a D following their name. My contribution to you folks is as always. a bucket of nice warm puke.

March 25, 2010 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |

James Cunningham

Give it a break, CNN! If anyone is fanning flames it is the news media . You know exactly what Sarah Palin meant and you and the Democrats are pushing this non-issue for your own political agendas. Listen to what Palin and Rep. Cantor are saying and knock it off. The Dems are promoting this because they are scared to death of this November's election and the media elite especially ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and MSNBC are trying to pull their irons out of the fire!

March 25, 2010 01:22 pm at 1:22 pm |

White South

George Wallace did not blow up 16th Street Baptist Church and murder 4 young girls. Ross Barnett didnot murder Medgar Evers. Strom Thurmond did not kill Martin Luther King. Their language and demonization of Civil Rights Leaders did help work white conservatives into a frenzy, and created an atmosphere that made violence more likely. Republican leaders are just as good as George Wallace was in "setting the woods on fire".

March 25, 2010 01:26 pm at 1:26 pm |

dash

I bet if you created an image with crosshairs over the city of Wasila, she'd be in an uproar.

March 25, 2010 01:26 pm at 1:26 pm |

henriettap

While the Republicans say they don't condone what is happening you had them on Sat.and Sun. inciting the crowd they had heard some of the rhetoric then the negative words to put it nicely that was being said.that was when they should have spoken to the crowd about the ugliness of the situation.
Now they say that they did not mean for their words to be taken out of context will they should think before they speak, these were very disturbing words to hear and to know that there is someone out there will take YOU for your words and yet still go on to make the statement is silly.I hope that when it comes to handling foriegn affairs they stop to think of the consequences of their words.Then it makes me realize how we go to war so easily.

March 25, 2010 01:27 pm at 1:27 pm |

Mike

Dem's and left wing nut jobs like those on CNN and MNBC have been invading her space and threatening her family for months now and no one cared.................................Good for her, time to reload!

She Who Was Half-Governor makes most of us Alaskan's embarrased and ashamed that she was created here in the land of the Midnight Sun. What a disgrace she is to honest, real Alaskan women.

March 25, 2010 01:33 pm at 1:33 pm |

Dale

Palin inciting violence and hatred? Where have I heard that before? Oh yeah... her campaign speaches. True colors Palin, true colors. She truely represents the wacko fringe far-right Republicans, aka the ones that are still Republicans.

March 25, 2010 01:37 pm at 1:37 pm |

T'SAH from Virginia

McAuliffe most likely would have made a BETTER run than DEEDS and I was kind of hoping he did run... We will see you next time and YES, I most likely donate to the cause (not much becuase of bad times but every little bit helps!!!)

March 25, 2010 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |

ted k

g.m.reinstating dealers,health bill savings and palins mouth ,will be good for dems in elections

March 25, 2010 01:44 pm at 1:44 pm |

Tom in Va

So this is the "pro Life" GOP huh?

Shame on Sarah Palin and the rest of the GOP that talk about morals while instagating violence and mob politics.

Shame on the "religious" right for not acting to stop this wave of winked-at acceptance of violence. You "christians" give Christ a bad name.

The GOP is leading the nation into civil war..just like Bin Laden had hoped. Way to go GOP...way to go.

March 25, 2010 01:55 pm at 1:55 pm |

Keeth in California

She is an ignorant, hateful, spiteful quitter.

March 25, 2010 01:56 pm at 1:56 pm |

Tom in Va

So this is the "pro Life" GOP huh?

Violence...hatred.... guns....

Shame on Palin the rest of the GOP that condemns this hatred and violence with a wink and a nod.

Shame on you. You are splitting the country in two. ...Just like Ben Laden had hoped. Way to go GOP...way to go.

March 25, 2010 01:58 pm at 1:58 pm |

sheppard

I'm not sure if sarah is stupid enough to think her remarks/facebook are not hate speech (her specialty) or if she is such a moron she actually doesn't think there is anything wrong with it... I vote #2, just to give her the benefit of the doubt.

I still say if she looked like Ma Kettle no one would be interested in anything she did or said!

Now if someone put a pic of Sarah and Trig in rifle crosshairs on their website, she would be on Fox fuming and whining about the "sanctity of life". Just further proof that she is not a leader. A true leader (or Christian) would never promote, insinuate, express or condone violence against another leader, period!